WHAT IS JAMES WEARING? » Gio Ponti

Love’s Garden

WIJW — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:09:19 +0000

James Andrew on the grounds of the Parco dei Principi Hotel.

We spent our last evening in Sorrento exploring the lush grounds of the Parco dei Principi. The gardens are filled with exotic and rare plantings, some of which were placed here as early as the 19th century. Ponti deliberately left many of the historical architectural elements intact as well, exhibiting his deep appreciation for what has come before. Here you’ll find cobble stone walkways, a temple to Venus – and what would a garden be without a bridge dedicated to love as well! – In fact coming to this enchanted place gives one the feeling of falling madly in love – that very moment deliciously distilled – living, yet somehow perfectly suspended in time.

Parco dei Principi Bridge of Love.

On our pre-dinner stroll (top), I’ve stopped to pose. I’m wearing a royal blue cotton sateen jacket by Gucci, Tom Ford shirt with french cuffs in pink and white plaid cotton, Seaman Schepps cuff links are silver pearls with pale blue sapphires, “blue jeans” blue leather belt with silver buckle by Hermes, pink silk pocket square by Charvet, white jeans by Uniglo, navy suede Gucci loafers, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is Creed Zest Mandarine Pamplemousse.

Amalfi’s Acqua Santa

WIJW — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:47:09 +0000

James Andrew - Gio Ponti salt water pool

Truly a cathedral to the elements, one cannot help but feel Ponti’s reverence for nature at Parco dei Principi – and perhaps above all the elements there, it is water that reigns quite supreme.

The private beach.

One might choose to self-baptise in the bracing ocean pool via a descent by stair or elevator – (and we do recommend a bite at the sea level restaurant whilst there).

Gio Ponti pool

detail

Or if, on the other hand, one seeks another sort of water experience altogether – then one might choose to plunge off of the sculptural diving platform into the garden salt water pool which Ponti describes in his characteristically poetic fashion as a “…mirror of water for woodland nymphs.” And of course as with any world class hotel, an army of impeccable staff seamlessly facilitates the experience.

Posing on the practically made-for-modeling diving platform I’m sporting a Ponti-like Mediterranean blue speedo by Frankie Morello at Behavior NYC, KVA sunglassses and Anthelios Sunscreen.

Sorrentine Dining

WIJW — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:17:50 +0000

James Andrew at Parco dei Principi.

Details.

As the old Italian proverb goes, “rice is born in water and must die in wine.” And you must surely know by now, we at WIJW? are sensitive to cultural commandments, especially when they involve a good bottle of wine! Needless to say dining options abound on the Amalfi Coast, and we spent much of our stay devouring one spectacular Sorrentine dish after another at the super chic Gio Ponti restaurant at the Parco dei Principi as well as in the historic district at the wonderful La Antica Trattoria. A refreshing bottle of my favorite Italian Rosé facilitated our gustatory explorations quite nicely, and we happily manged to conclude more than one of our meals with generous portions of the most divine “fragoline di bosco” wild strawberries.

Gio Ponti restaurant.

The well dressed table.

The Italians have such a flair for understated elegance, and this was nicely apparent in the lovely table settings – fine linen napkins, and proper silverware! Dining here is a true celebration.

Luckily for me, dressing well in Italy is more oft than not rewarded by preferential treatment when it comes to getting seated at a fine restaurant! I’m pictured above dressed for dinner wearing a Tom Ford “Spencer” sport jacket in rose silk linen basket weave and pale blue cotton french cuff shirt with contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps silver pearl with pale blue sapphire cuff links, Turnbull and Asser retro print silk pocket square in blues and white, Diesel white skinny jeans, Gucci silver chain link belt and navy suede loafers, Cartier “Tank” Divan” from Raj Tolaram and my fragrance is the impossibly fresh Creed Bois de Cedrat.

Parco dei Principi

WIJW — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:21:24 +0000

James Andrew at Parco dei Principi

Since its inception in 1962 the Parco dei Principi has been providing guests with a truly unique architecture-as-art experience. Set on the grounds of an eighteenth century property that has been owned by the Bourbon Royal family as well as a cousin to the Russian Tsars, it’s no wonder the Parco commands such a spectacular position high above the azure ocean below. Furthermore, it is a testament to Ponti’s sensitivity to place and history that he has retained so many architectural and landscape elements from this royal legacy – In Ponti’s words “.. for life to be great and full we have to combine the past with the future..”

Parco dei Principi

The Parco is a symphony of blue and white – everywhere one looks Ponti references the sky and sea. Working with the tile company D’Agostino of Salerno, Ponti produced thirty different designs that could be utilized in a multitude of combinations to create both a cohesive overall palette while lending each of the hundred rooms their own uniquely patterned floor.

Parco dei Principi

In the dining room and lounge Ponti worked with celebrated ceramicist Fausto Melotti to create modernist majolica style tiles to adorn the walls – another expression of Ponti’s willingness to blur the lines between art and architecture – and it is not surprising – after all, Ponti himself was not only one of the twentieth centurie’s most influential architects but he was also a noted poet, painter, industrial designer, and writer!

Parco dei Principi

Sultry Sorrento

WIJW — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:29:08 +0000

James Andrew at the Parco dei Principi Hotel

Just back from our Italian jaunt – hope you didn’t miss us too much – we missed you terribly of course! And as promised we’ve come back with some splendid pictures and thoughts that we’ll be sharing over the next couple of weeks – so lets start at the beginning…

Our holiday on the Amalfi Coast begins in Sorrento, a town perched somewhat precariously yet ever so scenically on the majestic cliffs overlooking the bay of Naples. I’d been keen to explore this Gio Ponti modernist masterpiece Parco dei Principi Hotel having read a Wallpaper magazine story several years ago, and as Emerson once put it, “life consists in what a person is thinking of all day” – as you might have surmised, I’ve been thinking about this heavenly realm quite a lot!

Parco dei Principi Hotel

What we see and read in travel articles so often does not live up to expectations – Happily I can tell you Parco dei Principi far exceeded the highest of our expectations! Surprisingly the Parco is the only existing hotel in Italy by Ponti. Totally preserved and wonderfully intact it’s set on the grounds of an old estate, and if you’re a WIJW? regular you’ll have guessed I was wild about the contrast between high modernism and the richly classical surrounds.

Amalfi Coast, Sorrento

In any case, we’re still unpacking, but I couldn’t wait to give you a small taste of posts to follow on our stay at the Parco dei Principi over the next few days – stay tuned!

I’m sporting a navy cotton pique jacket by Gucci, midnight blue and white cotton plaid shirt by Tom Ford, Charvet pink and white retro print silk pocket square, Uniglo pale pink skinny jeans, sunglasses, python belt with silver buckle and brown leather sandals all by Gucci, Cartier “Tank Divan” from Raj Tolaram my fragrance is Creed Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse.

Inspiration – Gio Ponti

James — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 03:37:07 +0000

I’m a huge fan of the Gio Ponti masterpiece, Parco dei Principi Hotel in Sorrento Italy. Ponti’s brilliant combinations of white and blue make for one of the most stylish and original designs of the mid-twentieth century. For some time I’ve wanted to create an interior inspired by Ponti’s magnificent work and here at the uber chic Galerie Van Den Akker I think I’ve found the perfect start. Behind me is a stunning cabinet in white and cobalt lacquer, soothingly complimented by an almost oceanic emerald green clear lacquered goatskin parchment cocktail table. The whole arrangement has me yearning for the idyllic emerald green sea and scintillating blue skies of the Amalfi coast – one of those world class hedonist playgrounds.

Basking in the thought of this dream interior-scape, I’m wearing a turquoise and white cotton shirt with contrast white collar and cuffs by Turnbull and Asser, Seaman Schepps cufflinks in precious turquoise, vintage Cartier tank watch from Raj Tolaram medallion print cotton pants in shades of aqua, turquoise and navy by Gucci, silver chain link belt, black leather sandals and white leather bag all by Gucci.

A Desk with History

lunarlander — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 04:43:20 +0000

Founded in 1472, the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is the oldest bank still in operation. As would be expected, they have had a few renovations since then – some of the most elegant of which took place during the 1950′s, when the bank hired architects and industrial designers from within the Gio Ponti circle to revamp the the interiors with a new modernist eye. Many of these new designs were created within pre-existing Renaissance palazzos which heightened the sense of sophistication, refinement, and historical context. The gallery L’art de Vivre (978 Lexington Avenue 212-734-3510) is known for their exquisite selection of 20th century design for 21st century living. They buy what they love with an eye for high quality beautiful pieces. Made for the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena in the 1950s from mixed pale woods combined with bronze and steel accents and shaped like the then innovative Gio Ponti Pirelli building in Milan (which inspired the Pan Am/MetLIfe building here in NYC) this handsome desk (pictured below) is a perfect example of the high caliber furniture one can find at L’art de Vivre.

Seated on this gorgeous desk, I am wearing a Gucci cognac corduroy suit, vintage Dior pocket square, Russian floral print silk/cotton shirt by Gucci, Paul Smith wool scarf, brown python belt with silver double horse head buckle, and python loafers – both by Gucci.